Most global media Web sites tested, including Israel-based news outlets such as the
daily Haaretz (www.haaretz.com), were accessible. However, Web sites of certain prominent Arabic newspapers and news portals were blocked, including the Arab-language
newspaper Al-Quds Al Arabi (www.alquds.co.uk) and the news portal Elaph (www
.elaph.com). Access to Elaph was restored several months after testing.
‘‘Immoral’’ social content continues to be a priority target for Saudi censors. The vast
majority of pornographic Web sites that were tested were blocked, as were most of
those featuring provocative attire or gambling. The 2008–2009 testing also showed
that censorship has expanded to block Arabic-language Web sites containing explicit
content.
Also blocked were numerous Web sites containing content relating to alcohol and
drugs, gay and lesbian issues, and sex education and family planning. A substantial
number of Internet tools, including anonymizers and translators, were filtered.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia publicly acknowledges censoring morally inappropriate and religiously
sensitive material, but the authorities also filter political opposition Web sites and
resources on human rights issues. In addition, the state has introduced new surveillance measures at Internet cafe ´s and announced plans to start a system that will require
local Web sites to register with the authorities.
Saudi citizens have started to use the Internet for online activism, but the authorities
have arrested several online writers and blocked their content. A local human rights
group expressed interest in legally challenging the government’s censorship of human
rights Web sites.
Generally, Internet filtering in Saudi Arabia mirrors broader attempts by the state to
repress opposition and promote a single religious creed.
Notes
1. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: Saudi Arabia,’’ August 20, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/
middle_east/country_profiles/791936.stm.
2. Reporters Without Borders, ‘‘Saudi Arabia: Annual Report 2007,’’ http://www.rsf.org/article
.php3?id_article=20775&Valider=OK.
3. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: Saudi Arabia,’’ August 20, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/
middle_east/country_profiles/791936.stm.
4. Reporters Without Borders, ‘‘Saudi Arabia: Annual Report 2007,’’ http://www.rsf.org/article
.php3?id_article=20775&Valider=OK.
Saudi Arabia
567
daily Haaretz (www.haaretz.com), were accessible. However, Web sites of certain prominent Arabic newspapers and news portals were blocked, including the Arab-language
newspaper Al-Quds Al Arabi (www.alquds.co.uk) and the news portal Elaph (www
.elaph.com). Access to Elaph was restored several months after testing.
‘‘Immoral’’ social content continues to be a priority target for Saudi censors. The vast
majority of pornographic Web sites that were tested were blocked, as were most of
those featuring provocative attire or gambling. The 2008–2009 testing also showed
that censorship has expanded to block Arabic-language Web sites containing explicit
content.
Also blocked were numerous Web sites containing content relating to alcohol and
drugs, gay and lesbian issues, and sex education and family planning. A substantial
number of Internet tools, including anonymizers and translators, were filtered.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia publicly acknowledges censoring morally inappropriate and religiously
sensitive material, but the authorities also filter political opposition Web sites and
resources on human rights issues. In addition, the state has introduced new surveillance measures at Internet cafe ´s and announced plans to start a system that will require
local Web sites to register with the authorities.
Saudi citizens have started to use the Internet for online activism, but the authorities
have arrested several online writers and blocked their content. A local human rights
group expressed interest in legally challenging the government’s censorship of human
rights Web sites.
Generally, Internet filtering in Saudi Arabia mirrors broader attempts by the state to
repress opposition and promote a single religious creed.
Notes
1. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: Saudi Arabia,’’ August 20, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/
middle_east/country_profiles/791936.stm.
2. Reporters Without Borders, ‘‘Saudi Arabia: Annual Report 2007,’’ http://www.rsf.org/article
.php3?id_article=20775&Valider=OK.
3. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: Saudi Arabia,’’ August 20, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/
middle_east/country_profiles/791936.stm.
4. Reporters Without Borders, ‘‘Saudi Arabia: Annual Report 2007,’’ http://www.rsf.org/article
.php3?id_article=20775&Valider=OK.
Saudi Arabia
567